Teaching Children Reading and Math: Teacher Support Force Bloghttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html
The Teacher Support Force Blog keeps you up-to-date on all site changes so you can stay current on information related to teaching children reading and math.en-uschildren readingMon, 28 Aug 2017 09:14:43 -0400Mon, 28 Aug 2017 09:14:43 -0400teacher-support-force.comAug 28, Reset Button as a Classroom Management Strategyhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/effective-classroom-management.htmldcf30c34af3cf67a539203f4b2e53740I am always excited to share something new that works, and the Reset Button works like a charm! My husband just attached a drawer pull to a piece of board, and I wrote "Reset Button" on the plank. So when one of my students had a bad day, I talked with him and gave him a chance to start over with a clean slate by pushing the Reset Button.
It worked like a charm! Of course, what I really want is one that makes noise and lights up - so I have ordered a wireless doorbell for $12.95!
If you are interested in other strategies for classroom management, check out this page on my website.
Hope you are having a great year already!Mon, 28 Aug 2017 09:14:39 -0400Aug 26, Here We Go Again!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/effective-learning-environment.html343244b73405f81692cfa8dccab4f9c6And we're off! This is year 36 for me as a public school teacher. One of the most important things I do at the beginning of each year is make sure my classroom environment supports brain function. Hopefully there is some information here which can be helpful to you. Have a great year and remember to enjoy your kids!Sat, 26 Aug 2017 09:59:32 -0400Jun 30, Summer Learning Activitieshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/summer-learning-activities.htmlea3767c17a1c5e4da2c6f42d1e140467It's summer, and here at Grannie's Summer Camp we set aside time for reading, math, PE, and art! Our craft time is probably our favorite. I am trying to provide as many experiences as I can for my grandsons while they are here in an effort to support their learning and development.
You can do the same for the children in your lives, and on this page you can find suggestions that might help.
Happy summer!Fri, 30 Jun 2017 09:54:17 -0400Nov 26, Teaching Decimal Operations Doesn't Have to be Boringhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/decimal-operations.htmlfb4a424ba36abacf616404783d80ae89Teaching decimal operations doesn't have to be boring with these fun activities.Sat, 26 Nov 2016 13:09:32 -0500Aug 1, Back-to-school Go!!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/effective-learning-environment.html343244b73405f81692cfa8dccab4f9c6-cpIt's not exactly Pokemon Go, but it is that time again - time for another school year to kick off soon. It will be year 35 for me!
As you ready your classrooms and get them back in order after the Waxing of the Floors (Is it just me?)I know you, like me, will be considering how to create a better learning environment for your students.
The information on Effective Learning Environment might help!Mon, 1 Aug 2016 11:23:31 -0400Jul 22, Early Brain Developmenthttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Early-Brain-Developmentda8f4e49d9873caacae6159ae95c6e74This is important information for new parents.Fri, 22 Jul 2016 15:48:00 -0400Jun 21, New Math Gold!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/math-teaching-strategies.htmlaaf2bf07d59d6e3709bd7ecf6ac786c5My kids couldn't remember how to find the range - until I did this!Tue, 21 Jun 2016 17:36:24 -0400May 23, It's almost here!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Its-almost-here3a961dbb91ba53da31f8d68dd7cd4d55Another school year is coming to a close - my 34th! - and summer is just around the corner. This is a time to help parents discover activities which can help prevent Summer Reading Loss. (Yes - its' a thing!) And you can't go wrong with sight word activities!Mon, 23 May 2016 07:35:56 -0400Mar 21, Spring Has Sprung!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/strategies-for-teaching-writing.html6fa4d268bbb59f2cd802896672929f7dA Flower Show is the perfect way to welcome Spring - and celebrate writing school wide!Mon, 21 Mar 2016 18:00:39 -0400Mar 7, Complex Sentence Structure: A Creative Solutionhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/complex-sentence-structure.html32e62766ac45e3fe5bbdab83b10dfad8Complex sentence structure can be difficult to teach when addressing proper sentence structure for kids. This creative solution uses art to help student improve.Mon, 7 Mar 2016 07:33:46 -0500Mar 5, It's Almost Spring!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/strategies-for-teaching-writing.html6fa4d268bbb59f2cd802896672929f7d-cpSpring will be here soon, and what better way to welcome it than to have a Flower Show to celebrate with student writing and accompanying art?Sat, 5 Mar 2016 12:04:59 -0500Feb 18, Dance It Out!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-dancing.html59a6fdb3ba8c3992b7788c24361fa636Yesterday as I was showing students how to write percents as decimals, I told them they must "Hit the Quan" (meaning the decimal as a target) then move it two places to the left.
Of course this meant we had to dance it out to "Hit the Quan!!" It was so much fun and very good for all our brains.
Dancing doesn't take up much class time, and the benefits are many.Thu, 18 Feb 2016 07:43:41 -0500Feb 3, Memoryhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/memory-activities.htmlcbec21f439e99d0a0eec1e182116e0b8You've been working hard, and here it is - already February! But will the children remember what they've been taught?
Here are some suggestions which might help improve memory.Wed, 3 Feb 2016 15:15:00 -0500Jan 13, Readers Theaterhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/readers-theater.html7514dd4228afaa2712e96049f94bbc7cWhen building fluency, there really is nothing like Readers Theater - and not just in reading!
Soon we will be creating scripts telling the story of Princess Perimeter who is unable to walk into the center of any room. What happened to her? We won't know until we read the scripts!Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0500Jan 6, Reading Fluencyhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/reading-fluency.html3f119d61853f1a5382d3087884a4afbbNow that students have built a sight vocabulary, it is time to build fluency. Here are some ideas which may help.Wed, 6 Jan 2016 07:28:40 -0500Nov 24, Holidays Word Wallshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/second-grade-sight-words.htmlaa536edc9ec098b9e091b1409e73718eTis the season to learn all sorts of holiday words! There is no better time to add to kids' vocabularies - as long as we remember to be culturally sensitive and include a wide range of celebrations and traditions.Tue, 24 Nov 2015 13:30:05 -0500Nov 3, Diagnosing Learning Problemshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/diagnosing-learning-problems.html92036e4bfd473f1b8d719cf9ec9b36dfYou've identified students who are having difficulty learning. Now what?
Here is information that may help.Tue, 3 Nov 2015 07:36:37 -0500Oct 19, Facebook Project: The Coordinate Planehttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/cartesian-coordinate-system.htmla827b92a84d8cef2c319b681d2b77187We started one of my favorite activities of the year today, one in which students create a Facebook profile for a point in the first or third quadrant of the coordinate plane.
Here is a link to other ideas for teaching this topic. You can also print out the Facebook activity for use with your students. Enjoy!Mon, 19 Oct 2015 17:44:37 -0400Oct 16, Early Education - A Fresh Approachhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Early-Education---A-Fresh-Approachfb07c26652fd95a37325ad07ab66dd3aThis is more like what early childhood education needs to be!Fri, 16 Oct 2015 19:40:27 -0400Oct 2, Got focus?http://www.teacher-support-force.com/focus-games.htmla6978ebb8869397755f0131d9917b36bDo your kids have difficulty focusing or paying attention? Here are some strategies which may help.Fri, 2 Oct 2015 14:21:21 -0400Sep 29, Ideas for Grouping Studentshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/creative-grouping.html8e42e8c7f0b5e5acf7e74c5578db7d06Students need to talk about what they are learning so it is important that they work together in groups.
Here are some ideas for grouping them.Tue, 29 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400Sep 25, My Favorite Art Projecthttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/artineducation.htmleacb2f9dfe695579c5744cb254762209If you have looked at the pages of this site, you already know how much I love using art in my classroom to improve memory.
Here is my all-time favorite.Fri, 25 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400Sep 22, Stress and Learninghttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-and-stress-management.html218cd96c7c9658c08bc567dece445231In these days of high stakes testing, it is hard to remember that learning is supposed to be fun. Stress has such an adverse effect on learning in general - especially memory - that lowering stress in our classrooms needs to be a priority.Tue, 22 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400Sep 18, Repeat and Repeat Some Morehttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/reading-fluency.html3f119d61853f1a5382d3087884a4afbb-cpRepetition is critical for learning just about anything. Repeated practice builds accuracy and speed and is especially important in developing reading fluency.Fri, 18 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400Sep 14, Art and Mathhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/exponents.htmleba58939d7737e9efe83f79dfa523878Art projects can really help reinforce key math vocabulary and concepts. Here's our first one of the year - illustrations of exponents!Mon, 14 Sep 2015 00:00:00 -0400Sep 10, Math Word Wallshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/math-word-wall.html1c867ef51557f9b61921158dcfb8c439Why have a math word wall? Here's why!Thu, 10 Sep 2015 07:25:14 -0400Aug 31, It's time!!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/word-walls.html366737aee9485a2b332139f69cb34508It's time to build some vocabulary!! We now have enough words on our word walls to have some fun - and build some math vocabulary. Let's GO!!Mon, 31 Aug 2015 08:46:37 -0400Jul 1, Summer Is About Vocabulary !http://www.teacher-support-force.com/teaching-reading-to-children.html715e3c07d97b9f932eed3775b16c3009Since reading is about vocabulary, particularly sight vocabulary, parents can use time this summer to provide children with words - lots of words - to help prevent summer learning loss or "summer slide."Wed, 1 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400Jun 24, Summer Is About Reading!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/reading-together.htmlf7d2a7d93157b67018aa8fa5befb45ebThere is no better investment in your child's future than reading to and with her - and summer is the perfect time!Wed, 24 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400Jun 17, Summer is About Road Trips!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/car-games.html9cef4e39e7991a6724efa5ded172d00cTaking a trip this summer? Time in the car is a good opportunity for fun and learning.
Here are some suggestions for car games to make the most of your summer - and stave off summer learning loss!Wed, 17 Jun 2015 00:00:00 -0400Jun 10, Got Apps?http://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Got-Appsc11c26e63747f6a60403335f617c2520Looking for good apps for learning the multiplication tables? Here is an article with some suggestions.
Summer is the perfect time for learning!Wed, 10 Jun 2015 10:30:17 -0400Jun 4, Summer Is About Play!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/benefits-of-play.html0b8a041c0b9294625fcda08f1594c6d2Playing is so important for children. And what better time to play than during the summer months?Thu, 4 Jun 2015 13:54:06 -0400May 26, Summer Is Almost Here!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/summer-learning-activities.htmlea3767c17a1c5e4da2c6f42d1e140467-cpSummer is near, and parents have an opportunity to provide children with all kinds of experiences which can be used to enrich vocabularies.
Here are some ideas for summer learning activities which can help your children maintain the progress made in school this year.Tue, 26 May 2015 14:53:13 -0400May 6, Thank Youhttp://www.teacher-support-force.come9c66c55a4bb7e2b0e5b027eb4caacf9It is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and I have already contacted the high school math teacher who so influenced my work in math. There are others on my list for the week, too, and I hope you will drop a line to those teachers who encouraged you as well.
Teacher Support Force is my way of thanking all of you who are teachers so I hope within its pages you find information that is helpful to you.
Thank you sincerely for all that you do to make the world a better place for children.Wed, 6 May 2015 07:38:14 -0400Jan 31, Sleep and Later Start Timeshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Sleep-and-Later-Start-Times52d8722a9b6a4aa210fa4630896fde55Here is more food for thought about the importance of sleep, especially for middle and high school children.Sat, 31 Jan 2015 17:05:35 -0500Dec 14, And the Data Keeps Coming! Kids Need to Move to Learn!!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#And-the-Data-Keeps-Coming-Kids-Need-to-Move-to-Learn53867e4acb23693c9e5e589cbad1dec3Research continues to show that sitting in desks for long periods of time hinders learning.
Don't we need to listen?Sun, 14 Dec 2014 09:32:36 -0500Dec 13, 5 Reasons to Have Math Word Wallshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/math-word-wall.html1c867ef51557f9b61921158dcfb8c439-cpHow did I ever teach without word walls? I simply couldn't make it without them now! They build vocabulary, sight recognition, and are perfect for reviewing concepts and filling in those last few minutes of class with quality activities. And on top of all that -- they can be FUN!Sat, 13 Dec 2014 08:54:48 -0500Dec 4, Questions Great Teachers Ask Themselveshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Questions-Great-Teachers-Ask-Themselvese3e42c73c90f10e1602a6e3be6c808a3I love this article so much, I just HAD to share it with you!!Thu, 4 Dec 2014 14:35:29 -0500Nov 30, The Data Keeps Coming - Sleep Affects Learninghttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#The-Data-Keeps-Coming---Sleep-Affects-Learning5dbf3e11578a98090d7a9ff19b69dac4Every parent needs to know that the proper amount of sleep is critical to learning.Sun, 30 Nov 2014 18:38:52 -0500Nov 23, Diagnosing Learning Problemshttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/diagnosing-learning-problems.html92036e4bfd473f1b8d719cf9ec9b36df-cpBy this time in the school year, you have no doubt identified children who are struggling to be successful.
Here are 11 questions to ask yourself as you begin narrowing down your treatment plan for them.Sun, 23 Nov 2014 10:06:11 -0500Nov 18, Word Wall Scavenger Hunthttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/word-wall-games.html1f0ac16a8b1c3cdbdf54763bb6859d2eWe have enough words on our word walls now to really play some hard core games! (Actually, we have ten word walls!) This week we did our first Scavenger Hunt. It's a great way to review and practice math vocabulary while at the same time supporting reading.Tue, 18 Nov 2014 06:39:53 -0500Nov 11, Movement and Learninghttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Movement-and-Learningaffe8616737dd677c367adabedbc61cbThis article, from a website called "Yogapeutics," is a MUST read for every parent, teacher, and early care provider!Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:40:40 -0500Oct 24, Great Early Childhood Resourcehttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Great-Early-Childhood-Resourcef6516347f8d2ba78048efd17da9bff9eThe Imagination Tree is a great resource which I just discovered for parents and teachers of young children. It's really good!Fri, 24 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0400Oct 18, Great Early Childhood Resourcehttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Great-Early-Childhood-Resourcef6516347f8d2ba78048efd17da9bff9e-cpThe Imagination Tree is a great resource which I just discovered for parents and teachers of young children. It really is good!Sat, 18 Oct 2014 11:28:29 -0400Oct 17, First University to Host Permanent Therapy Doghttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#First-University-to-Host-Permanent-Therapy-Dogbf0cfb5cfb4f84aec48435d123be8734Finally!Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0400Oct 17, Facebook Activity for Coordinate Planehttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/cartesian-coordinate-system.htmla827b92a84d8cef2c319b681d2b77187-cpI introduced the Facebook Activity this week, and it is always fun to see my kids' faces brighten when they hear the word "Facebook" in math class.
Each student creates a profile for a point in either the first or third quadrant, then fills in "Friends" and "Family" along with favorite songs and TV shows for points in that quadrant.
The printable activity is free at the link below so feel free to have some fun with it, too!Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0400Oct 10, Another Article about Exercise and Cognitionhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Another-Article-about-Exercise-and-Cognition0e727ca52edf4038762c0f42d43479e4Convinced yet?Fri, 10 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0400Oct 3, Exercise as ADHD Medicationhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Exercise-as-ADHD-Medication0afa16d365e86284435a463c267aa4aeThis is an excellent article about the ability of exercise to help children focus.Fri, 3 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0400Sep 5, Under Constructionhttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/math-word-wall.html1c867ef51557f9b61921158dcfb8c439-cp-cpOur word walls are under construction already and have fresh batteries in our super cool light saber. Let's learn some vocabulary!!Fri, 5 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400Aug 29, And We're Off!http://www.teacher-support-force.com/cooperative-learning.html279c9955d950c17052277dde4a557f9bA new school year has begun, and we are off to a great start. Students are organized into support groups, and everybody has a job to do. My greatest challenge is to teach them how to work together after being programmed to "be quiet" in class!Fri, 29 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0400Jul 29, It's almost that time......http://www.teacher-support-force.com/effective-learning-environment.html343244b73405f81692cfa8dccab4f9c6-cp-cpAs you begin thinking about setting up your classroom for the new school year, you might want to check out the "Environment" section of our website where we offer suggestions for creating a brain friendly, effective learning environment.Tue, 29 Jul 2014 09:38:00 -0400Jun 16, Why Children Fidgethttp://www.teacher-support-force.com/children-reading-blog.html#Why-Children-Fidget635ee703bfe9adf573511f6bbe1f8b89Great article on the reasons why children fidgetMon, 16 Jun 2014 16:51:08 -0400